EVOLVE HESI RN PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH
EXIT EXAM | 2024/2025 COMPREHENSIVE TEST
BANK | VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | RN NURSING EXAM PREPARATION
GUIDE
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND NURSE-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
1. During admission to the psychiatric unit, a female client is extremely anxious and states
that she is worried about the sun coming up the next day. What intervention is most
important for the RN to implement during the admission process?
A. Assist the client in developing alternative coping skills.
B. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach.
C. Ask the client why she is so anxious.
D. Administer a PRN sedative to help relieve her anxiety.
Answer: B
2. A client with anxiety says, "I feel like I'm losing my mind." Which response by the nurse is
most therapeutic?
A. "Don't worry, everyone feels that way sometimes."
B. "Tell me more about what you are experiencing."
,C. "You are not losing your mind; you are just anxious."
D. "Why do you think you feel that way?"
Answer: B
3. A client states, "I want to die." Which response demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. "You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking of hurting yourself?"
C. "Don't say that; you'll feel better soon."
D. "Why would you say something like that?"
Answer: B
4. A client with depression says, "I'm a terrible parent." What is the best response?
A. "You are a good parent; your children love you."
B. "What makes you feel like a terrible parent?"
C. "All parents make mistakes."
D. "Let's talk about something positive."
Answer: B
5. While sitting in the dayroom, a male adolescent avoids eye contact, looks at the floor,
and talks softly when interacting verbally with the nurse. The two trade places, and the
,nurse demonstrates the client's behavior. What is the main goal of this therapeutic
technique?
A. Discuss the client's feelings when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Discuss the ineffectiveness of his interactions.
Answer: B
6. As the nurse prepares to interview a client being admitted to the mental health unit, the
client says, "I asked my family to bring me in here to talk to someone, but now I don't know
where to begin." Which response by the nurse would be most helpful?
A. "Perhaps you can start by sharing some of your most recent concerns."
B. "Don't worry; the doctor will ask you questions."
C. "Let's go through the admission forms first."
D. "Why don't you tell me about your childhood?"
Answer: A
7. During a mental health intake interview, a young adult client who lives with his family
rent-free says, "I'm tired of not being able to offer my friends a beer just because my folks
don't believe in taking a drink socially." Which nursing response would be therapeutic?
A. "Your parents have the right to set rules in their home."
B. "Perhaps you could offer your friends a soft drink instead."
, C. "It sounds like you feel constrained by your parents' rules."
D. "Why don't you serve what you want and not tell your parents?"
Answer: C
8. While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate documentation
later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking during an interview?
A. The nurse's ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal communication is limited
with note-taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased when the nurse breaks eye contact to take notes.
D. Note-taking should be avoided entirely during psychiatric interviews.
Answer: A
9. A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go on anymore." Which response by the nurse
is most therapeutic?
A. "Everyone has bad days; tomorrow will be better."
B. "Are you feeling like you want to hurt yourself?"
C. "You have so many reasons to keep going."
D. "Let's focus on the positive things in your life."
Answer: B
EXIT EXAM | 2024/2025 COMPREHENSIVE TEST
BANK | VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | RN NURSING EXAM PREPARATION
GUIDE
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND NURSE-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
1. During admission to the psychiatric unit, a female client is extremely anxious and states
that she is worried about the sun coming up the next day. What intervention is most
important for the RN to implement during the admission process?
A. Assist the client in developing alternative coping skills.
B. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach.
C. Ask the client why she is so anxious.
D. Administer a PRN sedative to help relieve her anxiety.
Answer: B
2. A client with anxiety says, "I feel like I'm losing my mind." Which response by the nurse is
most therapeutic?
A. "Don't worry, everyone feels that way sometimes."
B. "Tell me more about what you are experiencing."
,C. "You are not losing your mind; you are just anxious."
D. "Why do you think you feel that way?"
Answer: B
3. A client states, "I want to die." Which response demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. "You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking of hurting yourself?"
C. "Don't say that; you'll feel better soon."
D. "Why would you say something like that?"
Answer: B
4. A client with depression says, "I'm a terrible parent." What is the best response?
A. "You are a good parent; your children love you."
B. "What makes you feel like a terrible parent?"
C. "All parents make mistakes."
D. "Let's talk about something positive."
Answer: B
5. While sitting in the dayroom, a male adolescent avoids eye contact, looks at the floor,
and talks softly when interacting verbally with the nurse. The two trade places, and the
,nurse demonstrates the client's behavior. What is the main goal of this therapeutic
technique?
A. Discuss the client's feelings when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Discuss the ineffectiveness of his interactions.
Answer: B
6. As the nurse prepares to interview a client being admitted to the mental health unit, the
client says, "I asked my family to bring me in here to talk to someone, but now I don't know
where to begin." Which response by the nurse would be most helpful?
A. "Perhaps you can start by sharing some of your most recent concerns."
B. "Don't worry; the doctor will ask you questions."
C. "Let's go through the admission forms first."
D. "Why don't you tell me about your childhood?"
Answer: A
7. During a mental health intake interview, a young adult client who lives with his family
rent-free says, "I'm tired of not being able to offer my friends a beer just because my folks
don't believe in taking a drink socially." Which nursing response would be therapeutic?
A. "Your parents have the right to set rules in their home."
B. "Perhaps you could offer your friends a soft drink instead."
, C. "It sounds like you feel constrained by your parents' rules."
D. "Why don't you serve what you want and not tell your parents?"
Answer: C
8. While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate documentation
later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking during an interview?
A. The nurse's ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal communication is limited
with note-taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased when the nurse breaks eye contact to take notes.
D. Note-taking should be avoided entirely during psychiatric interviews.
Answer: A
9. A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go on anymore." Which response by the nurse
is most therapeutic?
A. "Everyone has bad days; tomorrow will be better."
B. "Are you feeling like you want to hurt yourself?"
C. "You have so many reasons to keep going."
D. "Let's focus on the positive things in your life."
Answer: B
